Charaka-Samhita — trans. Kaviraj Avinash Chandra Kaviratna

These seven are, in brief, the ingredients which (when vitiated) produce the diverse varieties of Leprosy. 7

From these causes arise the seven and eleven varieties of Leprosy. There is, again, no variety of Leprosy that is born of only one fault. 8

Loss of touch, excessive perspiration or the entire absence of perspiration, discolouration (of the body), elevation of the eruptions, horripilation, itching, pains (pins and needles), a sense of fatigue and lassitude (without having undergone any labour), excessive pain in the ulcers that appear, prompt appearance of ulcers charac¬ terised by protracted stay, a burning sensation and stupefaction of the limbs, — these are the symptoms, at the outset, of Leprosy. 9-i° After this, we shall expound the symptoms of the eight and ten varieties of Leprosy. These are i. Kap5la, 2. Audumvara, 3, Mandala, 4. Rishyajihbha, 5. Pundarika, 6. Sidhma, 7. Kakanaka, 8. Ekakushtha, 9. Charma, 10. Kitima, 11. Vipadika, 12. Alasaka, 13. Dadru, 14. CharmadaJa, 15. PamS, 16. Vishphotaka, 17. £ataru and 18. Vicharchika.* 11

That variety of leprosy in which the eruptions are partly of a dark and partly of a red colour, which resemble in shape a broken piece of a water-)ar, which are dry, rough to the touch, and accom¬ panied by pain resembling what is caused by one’s being pierced with innumerable needles, is called KapSla. The outer coating is thin. It is regarded as difficult of cure.f 12

That variety of leprosy is called ‘Audumvara’ in which the erup¬ tions are like the fruits ofUdumvara (Ficus glomerata ) in size and colour, and which are accompanied by a sense of burning and itching, and in which the hair on the swellings assume a tawny colour. *3 That variety of leprosy is called ‘Mandala’ in which some of the patches are white and some are red, which is always moist, in which the eruptions are non-shifting, oily, elevated, and circular, and in which the pimples are confluent. It is difficult of cure. H

* Of these, the first seven are called ‘MahSkusbtha’ or seven forms of Leprosy ; the remaining eleven are called ‘Kshudra-kushtha’, or minor forms of Leprosy. These eleven are really skin diseases. — T.

t ‘KapSla’ means a broken half of a water-jar. The fact is, in this variety of leprosy, the swollen spots are elevated in the middle. — T.

CHAR AKA -SAM HIT A.

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That variety of leprosy is called ‘Rishyajihva’ in which the erup¬ tions assume the shape of the deer’s tongue. They are coarse or rough to the touch. The edges are red, and the middle portions are dark. They are accompanied by pain. !5

That variety of leprosy is called ‘Pundarika’ in which the eruptive patches are elevated and take the form of the flowers of Pundarika (. Nymphcea lotus). The edges are red in colour, mixed with white. It is accompanied by a burning sensation. >6

That variety of leprosy is called ‘Sidhma’ in which the eruptions are partly of a white and partly of a coppery colour. The outer coating is thin. If the afflicted parts are rubbed, a pulverous substance comes out. The general aspect of the eruptions is that of flowers of Alavu ( Cucurbita lagenarid). It appears very generally on the chest *7

That variety of leprosy is called ‘Kakana’ in which the eruptions look like the fruits of KakanantikS ( Abrus precatorius , i. e., [the middle portions are dark while the edges are red). It is accompanied by severe pain. The eruptions do not ripen and suppurate. It dis¬ covers the symptoms of all the three faults. It is incurable. 18

That variety of leprosy is called ‘Ekakushtha’ (Icthyosis) in which no perspiration appears, and in which the eruptions occupy a large space, and have the form of the scales of a fish.

The leprosy known as ‘Charma’ (Hypertrophy of the skin) is characterised by the eruptive patches being rough as the skin of the elephant, and thick. 19

The leprosy known as ‘Kitima’ (Keloid) is characterised by spots that are of a dark colour. The ulcerations are rough to the touch and hard.

The leprosy known as ‘Vaipadika’ (Psoriasis of hand and feet) is characterised by the bursting of the hands and the feet. It is accompanied by severe pain. 20

The leprosy known as ‘Alasaka’ (Lichen) is characterised by the patches being accompanied by severe itching, and covered with red pimples.

The leprosy called ‘Dadru’ (Ringworm) is characterised by the spots being elevated, circular, accompanied by itching, and covered with reddish pimples 2*

That leprosy is called ‘Charmadala’ (Impetigo) in which the erup¬ tions are of a reddish hue, accompanied by itching and a pain as

p. 1210

CHAR AKA- SAM HIT A.

intense as that in ‘£ula,’ covered with large pimples, and incapable of being touched without giving severe pain. The eruptions burst in time. 22

That leprosy is known by the name of ‘Pgm5 (Eczema) in which the eruptions are either white and red or dark in colour, covered with pimples, and accompanied by severe itching.